Which Microgreen Seeds Work on Reusable Grow Mediums?
One of the most common questions we receive at On The Grow is about seed compatibility with reusable grow mediums. Not every microgreen seed behaves the same when grown hydroponically, and understanding these differences can save you time, money, and frustration.
After extensive testing with 68+ microgreen varieties, we've created this comprehensive guide to help you choose the right seeds for your reusable grow medium setup.
What Determines Seed Compatibility?
Three main factors influence whether a microgreen seed will thrive on a reusable grow medium:
Seed Size – Medium to large seeds typically perform better because they sit securely on the mesh without falling through the holes.
Root Behavior – Seeds with manageable root systems are easier to harvest and clean up after. Some varieties develop aggressive roots that can tangle deeply into the medium.
Germination Preferences – Certain seeds simply prefer the moisture retention and support that soil or coco coir provides, making them better suited for traditional growing methods.
If you're new to reusable grow mediums, our 10x10 Sampler Pack lets you test both silicone and stainless steel options before committing to a full-sized setup.
Seeds That Work Exceptionally Well
These varieties have consistently performed well on both our silicone and stainless steel reusable grow mediums. They feature medium to large seeds with manageable root systems that make cleanup straightforward.
Broccoli Varieties
Waltham 29, Di Cicco, Purple Sprouting, Calabrese Green, and Ramoso Santana all excel on reusable grow mediums. Broccoli is an excellent choice for beginners because it germinates reliably and harvests cleanly.
Radish Varieties
Rambo, Daikon Minowase, China Rose, Triton Purple, Sango Purple, Red Arrow, Purple Plum, Hong Vit, Purple, Colorful Radish, and Confetti Mix are all strong performers. Radish microgreens grow quickly and their roots release easily from the medium.
Kale Varieties
Red Russian, Vates Blue Scotch Curled, Black Tuscan (Lacinato), Dwarf Siberian, White Russian, Bright Green Curly, Purple Reign, KX-1, Unicorn, Kalefetti Mix, and Red Kale varieties all work beautifully. Kale produces dense, nutrient-rich microgreens with minimal root entanglement.
Cabbage & Pak Choi
Red Acre, Mammoth Red Rock, Golden Acre, Glory of Enkhuizen, Pak Choi White Stem, and Red Pak Choi are reliable choices that grow well hydroponically on mesh surfaces.
Mustard & Asian Greens
Spicy Oriental, Mizuna, Mizuna Red, Tatsoi, Red Tatsoi, Komatsuna (Spinach Mustard), and Mizuna Red Kingdom offer bold flavors and consistent performance.
Other Brassicas
Kohlrabi Purple Vienna, Kohlrabi Early White Vienna, Brussels Sprouts Long Island Improved, Turnip Purple Top White Globe, Rutabaga American Purple Top, Collards Vates, Cauliflower Snowball Y Improved, and Cauliflower Igloo round out the brassica family with excellent compatibility.
Basil Varieties
Genovese, Italian Large Leaf, Dark Opal, Bicolor, Colorful Basil Mix, and Lemon Basil thrive on reusable grow mediums and develop robust flavor profiles.
Additional Compatible Varieties
Arugula Slow Bolt, Arugula Astro, Curled Cress, Fenugreek, Purslane, Red Gruner, Chia, Red Clover, and Crimson Clover all perform well with proper watering techniques.
Seed Mixes
Basic Salad Mix, Spicy Salad Mix, Mild Micro Mix, and Superfood Mix are pre-blended options that work reliably on reusable grow mediums.
Sunflower
Black Oil Sunflower is a popular choice that works exceptionally well, especially when using our large-holed 1.7mm silicone medium designed specifically for larger seeds.
Seeds That Work Better Without a Medium
Some varieties technically can grow on reusable grow mediums, but they perform significantly better when grown directly on a mesh tray without any medium underneath.
Pea Varieties
Pea varieties including Dun, Green (Organic), Speckled, Afila Tendril, Yellow, Thomas Laxton, Early Frosty, Yellow Sugar, and Snow (Dwarf Sugar Grey) develop very aggressive root systems. While they will grow on a reusable medium, their roots tangle deeply into the material, making cleanup extremely difficult and potentially damaging your medium.
For peas, we recommend using mesh trays without any grow medium for the easiest growing experience.
Seeds Not Recommended for Reusable Grow Mediums
Too Small for the Mesh
Very tiny seeds can fall through even our smallest mesh openings, making them impractical for reusable grow mediums.
Extra Tiny Seed Varieties: Amaranth Red Army, Amaranth Red Garnet, Amaranth Bicolor, Amaranth Glitter Mix, Red Veined Sorrel, Celosia, and Wasabina Mustard all have seeds too small for standard mesh.
Important Update: One of our customers successfully grew Shiso on our reusable grow medium and also managed to get Red Garnet Amaranth to work using a simple method he shared with us. We're currently testing extra tiny seeds with modified techniques, so this list may evolve as we discover new methods.
Seeds That Prefer Soil or Coco Coir
These varieties have specific germination requirements that reusable grow mediums don't satisfy well.
Beet Varieties: Detroit Dark Red (Conventional), Detroit Dark Red, Bulls Blood, and Rainbow Blend all prefer soil-based growing.
Swiss Chard Varieties: Ruby Red, Rainbow Mixture, Pink Lipstick, Yellow, and Barese Dark Green Smooth Leaf perform better in soil or coco coir.
Seed Mixes: Chard & Beet Rainbow Sprinkles Mix combines varieties that prefer traditional mediums.
Herbs & Other Varieties: Cilantro Slow Bolt, Cilantro Leisure Splits, Fennel Florence, Buckwheat, Borage, Nasturtium Jewel Mix, Nasturtium Alaska, and Marigold all germinate more reliably in soil or coco coir.
Choosing the Right Medium for Your Seeds
When selecting seeds for your reusable grow medium setup, consider starting with the varieties that work exceptionally well. Once you've mastered the basics of watering and harvesting with reliable seeds, you can experiment with more challenging varieties.
Our reusable grow mediums come in various sizes to fit different tray setups, and both our silicone and stainless steel options offer excellent durability with proper care.
For larger seeds like sunflower or melon, the 1.7mm large-holed silicone medium provides extra space for root development while preventing smaller seeds from falling through.
Tips for Success
Start with compatible seeds – Choose from our recommended list when you're learning the watering techniques required for reusable grow mediums.
Match your medium to your seed size – Use standard mesh for medium seeds and large-holed mesh for bigger varieties.
Master your watering – The key difference between growing on soil versus reusable mediums is water management. Reusable mediums don't retain moisture the same way, so you'll need to develop a feel for proper hydration levels.
Keep your medium clean – Proper cleaning and sanitization between grows extends the life of your reusable medium and prevents pathogen buildup.
Final Thoughts
Growing microgreens on reusable grow mediums offers significant environmental and economic benefits, but seed selection plays a crucial role in your success. By choosing compatible varieties and understanding the limitations of different seeds, you'll set yourself up for consistent, high-quality harvests.
Remember that our compatibility testing is ongoing. As we discover new techniques and test additional varieties, we update our recommendations. If you successfully grow a variety we haven't tested yet, we'd love to hear about your method!
Ready to start growing? Explore our complete selection of reusable grow mediums and find the perfect setup for your microgreen operation.